Dubai Chocolate Bar: Everything You Need to Know (Plus How to Make It!)

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Discover for yourself whether Dubai chocolate is worth the hype
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The Dubai chocolate bar has taken over TikTok—not just the original bar, but also homemade recreations, DIY variations, and local knock-off versions. But what is the pistachio-filled “Dubai chocolate bar,” and is it really worth the viral social media hype and its $20 price tag? We’ll tell you all that and more with this complete guide to Dubai chocolate, including what it is , why it’s so popular , and how you can make your own at home.

The Dubai Chocolate Bar, Explained

Dubai chocolate is a large chocolate bar filled with pistachio paste and crunchy phyllo dough ( kadayif ). This stuffed chocolate bar went viral on social media in 2023, with users trying to recreate the bar or find somewhere to buy it. The original bar is made by the Dubai-based Fix Dessert Chocolatier.

Section 1 of 4:

What is a Dubai chocolate bar?

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  1. A Dubai chocolate bar is filled with shredded phyllo and pistachio paste. At first glance, the Dubai chocolate bar just looks like a very tall and thick chocolate bar. However, it’s filled with a mixture of pistachio paste and toasted kadayif (a Middle Eastern ingredient similar to shredded phyllo dough). This filling is then covered in a chocolate shell—usually made from milk chocolate, although dark and white chocolate variations may be available. When you bite into a Dubai chocolate bar, the texture is very crunchy with a sweet, rich, and nutty flavor profile. [1]
    • The inside of the Dubai chocolate bar is actually inspired by a more traditional Middle Eastern dessert: knafeh . Knafeh is a delicious dessert made with kadayif , butter, cheese (usually Akkawi or Nabulsi), and a rose or orange blossom syrup. It’s typically topped with chopped pistachios. [2]
    • As we’ll explain below, the original Dubai chocolate bar went viral and became a social media sensation! If you haven’t tried it yet, click to find out where you can get a Dubai chocolate bar near you .
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Section 2 of 4:

Why did the Dubai chocolate bar go viral?

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  1. Dubai chocolate went viral after a TikTok review was posted in 2023. In December 2023, TikTok creator @mariavehera257 (who makes videos “trying [the] best food in UAE”) posted a video reviewing Fix Dessert Chocolatier . One of the chocolate bars she tried was the Dubai-based chocolatier’s “Can’t Get Knafeh Of It” chocolate bar, also known as the “Pistachio Kataifi Chocolate Bar.” Her video quickly went viral, with viewers commenting on the bar’s satisfying crunch, oozing filling, and unique flavor combination. Basically, everyone on TikTok wanted to try the novel chocolate bar, spawning a bunch of DIY recipe videos and copycat versions being shared on social media. [3]
    • Where did the Dubai chocolate bar come from? The original Dubai chocolate bar is called the “Can’t Get Knafeh Of It” bar, and it was created by Sarah Hamouda, the founder of Dubai’s Fix Dessert Chocolatier. Hamouda created the bar in 2021 during her pregnancy—she was craving the flavors of the popular Middle Eastern knafeh dessert, which led her to create the now-infamous Dubai chocolate bar.
Section 3 of 4:

Is the Dubai chocolate bar actually worth the hype?

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  1. While the Dubai chocolate bar is very popular, its “hype” is subjective. Many people love the Dubai chocolate bar, and it is an objectively well-made and exciting treat! However, if you’re buying the original bar, its price tag might not be deemed “worth it” by some. Plus, as with any food, the overall hype is very subjective. For instance, if you love chocolate, rich sweets, nutty flavors, and crunchy textures, you’ll likely find the Dubai chocolate bar to be worth the hype! On the flip side, if you hate pistachios or you aren’t a fan of contrasting textures in your food, you can probably skip this one.
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Section 4 of 4:

How to Make a Dubai Chocolate Bar

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  1. 1
    Microwave 10 oz (200 g) of milk chocolate chips until melted. Pour 10 ounces (200 grams) of milk chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave the bowl in 30-second intervals. Between each 30-second interval in the microwave, stir the chocolate with a spoon. Repeat until the chocolate is mostly melted. [4]
    • This recipe makes two 16-ounce (453 grams) Dubai chocolate bars, or twenty 2-ounce (56 grams) servings of the chocolate bar.
  2. 2
    Mix in 2 more ounces (40 g) of chocolate chips and pour into molds. Fold an additional 2 ounces (40 grams) of milk chocolate chips into the bowl of melted chocolate and stir to combine. Split about half of this chocolate mixture between two 16-ounce (453 grams) chocolate bar molds . With a pastry brush, spread the chocolate around the mold to make sure it evenly covers the bottoms and sides. Let the molds sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes, then place them into the freezer for 20 minutes.
  3. 3
    Heat ¼ cup unsalted butter (57 g) and 8 oz chopped kadayif (226 g) in a skillet. Melt ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, add 8 ounces (226.8 grams) of chopped kadayif and stir constantly until the kadayif is crispy and golden-brown. This will take about ten minutes. [5]
  4. 4
    Turn off the heat and stir in 14 oz (397 g) pistachio butter and ¼ cup (64 g) tahini. Once the kadayif is crispy, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 14 ounces (397 grams) of pistachio butter and ¼ cup (64 g) of tahini. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan.
  5. 5
    Divide the filling mixture between the two chocolate molds. Remove the molds from the freezer and divide your pistachio filling mixture evenly between them. Spread the filling over the top of the frozen chocolate so that the filling is even with the top of the molds. [6]
  6. 6
    Pour the rest of the melted chocolate over the filling. Take the melted chocolate that you set aside and pour it over the pistachio filling. Use an offset spatula to evenly spread the chocolate over the pistachio mixture so that the ingredients are flush with the top of the mold.
  7. 7
    Freeze for 20 minutes, then remove the bars from the molds. Place the molds back into the freezer and let them freeze for 20 minutes. Then, take the molds out and remove the chocolate from the molds. Cut the bar into pieces and enjoy it immediately. [7]
    • Store any leftover chocolate in the fridge so that it maintains its crunchy texture.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.today.com/food/trends/viral-dubai-chocolate-bar-rcna169625
      2. ↑ https://palestineinadish.com/recipes/palestinian-knafeh-recipe/
      3. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/viral-dubai-chocolate-bar-fix-dessert-chocolatier-8714704
      4. ↑ https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/dubai-chocolate-bar/
      5. ↑ https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/dubai-chocolate-bar/
      6. ↑ https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/dubai-chocolate-bar/
      7. ↑ https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/dubai-chocolate-bar/

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